MAHCET 2017 Exam Analysis: 1st day marked with twisted verbal & lengthy reasoning; aspirants gasping for time

The 1st day 1st session of MAHCET 2017 saw the candidates gasping for more time as the  Reasoning with 100 questions was found a bit lengthy and questions on Verbal Ability also consumed a little more time.
Out of 94000 plus registered candidates for MAHCET 2017, less than 25% candidates took the test on March 4, 2017 across 40 test cities in India. The first day of computer based on line MAHCET 2017 in revamped mode of sections with highest number of questions in reasoning test called for more time to solve the questions. Besides, more questions on short RC passages also needed more time to attempt the exam.

MAHCET 2017 began on time on March 4, 2017. The test is proposed to be held in multiple sessions in 2 days test window on March 4 & 5, 2017 across the country.  At some centres the test had interruptions due to minor technical glitches and computer systems were getting disrupted during the test duration. However, all the answers marked by the candidates were automatically saved which gave a sign of relief to the test takers.

There were certain questions in Verbal Ability area which were not mentioned in the sample paper shared by State CET Cell in its notification, although most of the questions were on the similar pattern and topics. MBAUniverse.com had already advised  the aspirants to prepare for such surprise elements.  Test takers found the test moderate although it had some difficult questions also. Most of the candidates were fresh after taking CAT/XAT/CMAT/MAT and had good preparation level, this helped them a lot in cracking the right answers.

Many students were found doing more guess work as there is no negative marking in MAHCET 2017.

Overall Exam
Total Questions: 200
Number of sections: 3
Time available: 150 Minutes (2½ hrs)
Sectional cut offs: Applicable in determining percentile score
Scoring pattern: 1 mark for each correct answer
Total marks: 200
Negative marking: No
Answer options per question: 5

Exam pattern
MAHCET 2017 had 3 sections. The test of Reasoning contained 100 questions comprising Logical & Abstract Reasoning questions separately.

  
Sectional Analysis with difficulty level
Test of Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Total Questions: 50
Marks per question: 1
Answer options per question: 5
Total marks: 50
Difficulty level: Moderate (Few questions in error corrections and out of context sentences were found a little difficult)
Good attempts: 32-34

Type of questions

 
In the changed pattern total questions in this section have been reduced to 50. Questions on error corrections in sentences were similar to the ones as appear in various recruitment examinations of Banks, Insurance companies, Central and state Governments.  Sentences were divided in four sections and the error from one of the sections had to be spotted. If there was no error option 5 of ‘ No error’ had to be marked as answer.

Another type was that of re-writing the parts of sentences containing errors. The question sentence had one part marked in bold and the test taker had to figure out whether there is any error in that part of the sentence. 5 answer options followed the question. In case there was an error, candidate had to choose the right answer option and if it had no error, option 5 had to be marked.

The questions were formed on core grammar like Active passive; reported speech; conditionals; modifiers and picking out correct synonyms and antonyms. Apart from this, moderate questions on analogy also made their presence in Verbal Ability section.

There were questions to fill in the blanks with appropriate words in a short paragraph. With simple and correct understanding of grammar and vocabulary usage, candidates could answer the same well.

The RC passages were short but were followed by number of questions including questions like synonyms, antonyms as used in the passage. The level of difficulty was moderate but the options were close and time was short.

Candidates who could get around 30-32 questions correct in this section, would improve their overall percentile to a good extent to get admission in one of the top MBA colleges

Test of Logical and Abstract Reasoning
Total Questions: 100 (75 on Logical Reasoning and 25 on Abstract Reasoning)
Marks per question: 1
Answer options per question: 5
Total marks: 100
Difficulty level: Moderate to difficult (Section was lengthy and needed more time)
Good attempts: 60-66

Type of questions

Questions on Data sufficiency, arrangement needed more time to solve. It would be better that the candidates appearing in the exam tomorrow should solve them after attempting other questions from the section.

This section included Analytical Reasoning, Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning. The first part was on Logical reasoning followed by second part on Abstract Reasoning. There were 75 questions of varying type in the first part while the second part on Abstract Reasoning contained 25 questions.

The first part had questions set following the given data; questions on series, statements, true false among others. Second part had questions like formation of words in a coded language and the candidates were required to find out the correct code for the given word.  Questions on series, arrangements, puzzles were although not very difficult but consumed a lot of time. A good number of questions on Visual reasoning also appeared in the exam. Both types of reasoning taken together, constituted 100 questions out of total 200 questions. 

Test of Quantitative Aptitude
Total Questions: 50
Marks per question: 1
Answer options per question: 5
Total marks: 50
Difficulty level: Moderate (Few questions on modern maths were difficult)
Good attempts: 30-34

Type of Questions

Apart from 1-2 questions in QA, the remaining were on the easier side. This section was moderate to difficult in terms of difficulty level. Questions in this section were doable but time consuming. Though many questions involved some tricks but aspirants with basic conceptual clarity were able to solve these questions. There were more questions on Arithmetic. A few questions from Algebra also made their appearance in the test.  The DI questions in this test were more calculation based and time consuming.

Tips for March 5 test

• Begin from easy to difficult question right from the first test section
• Don’t scan entire test paper and avoid wastage of time
• Maximize attempts
• Focus on strong areas first and only after that go for guess work
• Balance your attempts in all the sections
• Reasoning has maximum questions and if you have good command on it finish it in first 60 minutes
• RC passages are short and easy. They are followed by more questions. Better to get maximum out of them
• Quant is good scoring test. Make sure to hit the maximum in it.
• Time is short; manage it and don’t stick to one question. If found difficult, move on to next question

Expected cut offs  for JBIMS, SIMSREE, K J Somaiya
All India candidates can expect admission to top MBA colleges accepting MAHCET 2017 scores like JBIMS, SIMSREE, K J Somaiya, PUMBA at a score of 130 and above as shared below

JBIMS Mumbai: 140 and above
SIMSREE: 130 and above
K J Somaiya: 125 and above
PUMBA: 115 and above

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on MAHCET 2016